Thursday, August 6, 2015

Loren Babe Was a Toronto Mainstay

Loren Babe was primarily a third baseman during his short major league career in the early fifties with the Yankees and A's, but like many players, had a long career in the AAA ranks.

After playing 103 games for Philadelphia in 1953, he was a part of a large deal between the A's and Yankees that sent him back to New York's system. He didn't play for the Yankees OR their minor leagues, as he was sent straight to independent Toronto.

"TORONTO (CP) Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League
Monday night, announced the purchase for $15,000 of infielder Loren Babe from
New York Yankees of the American League. Babe will be used at second base. He
played third base for Syracuse Chiefs of the International League in 1951 and
1952. In those seasons he hit .272 and .305 playing under manager Bruno Betzel.
He was purchased by the Leafs on the. recommendation of Betzel, signed recently
as Toronto coach, , Babe, sold to Philadelphia Athletics last, season for
$25,000 after playing in five games for the Yankees, batted .230 in 103 games
for the A's. The Yankees bought him back at their original selling price to
complete the recent. 11-player deal they made with the A's."

Babe stayed with the independent Maple Leafs until 1958, when he went to Seattle in the PCL.

"ROCHESTER, N. Y., May 20.— (5)—Infielder Loren Babe today
was signed by the Rochester Red Wings in a move to add batting power to the
club. Babe, who played with Seattle earlier this year, had been a free agent
after suffering an ankle injury. Red Wing General Manager George Sisler said
Babe's contract was conditioned on his ability to play and to produce. Babe, a
left-handed hitter, batted .262 last year with Toronto. He hit five homers and
drove in 54 runs. He was sold to Seattle at the end of the season. He injured
his ankle in Spring training and was batting .220 when he left the club."